Starting device



Sept. 1. 1925.

C. T. CLARK STARTING DEVICE Filed Nov. 22

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C. T. CLARK STARTING DEVICE Filed NOV. 22 1922 2 Sh'ets-Sheet 2 Irrae/m-x Patented Sept. 1, 1925.

UNITED STATES CHRISTOPHER 'I". CLARK, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

STARTING DEVICE.

Application filed November 22, 1922. Serial No. 602,529.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Crinisrornnn T. CLARK, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented new and useful Improvements in Starting Devices, of which the following is a specification.

One object of my invention is to provide improved means by which an alarm clock or other timing mechanism can be used for starting a. phonograph or other device.

Another object is to provide in a device of the class described improved means for transforming a rotary motion into a reciprocating motion.

Another object is to provide an improved triple plunger of such construction that its reciprocating motion will be positive at all times.

Another object is to provide in a device of the class described means for starting the device with which my invention is associated and then retracting the means by which the device is started so as to allow it to operate or be actuated independently of the means used for starting its operation.

l/Vith these and incidental objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, the essential elements of which are hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a phonograph showing my improved device used thereon in connection with the common type of alarm clock; Figure 2 is a bottom View of my device showing means for attaching it to an alarm clock; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the same; Figure 4 is a side elevation of the device itself taken at right angles to the view shown in Figure 3, and with the starting plunger in its extended position; Figure 5 is a plan view of my device showing the plunger in its retracted position and before it has been actuated; and Figure 6 is a similar view, but showing the plunger in its retracted position after it has been actuated.

As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the device consists primarily of a frame 1 in which is mounted a vertical shaft 2 having a slotted member 3 at the upper end thereof, adapted to receive the ring 4 of the winding key of the. common type of alarm clock, as shown in Figure 3.

A head 5 has an actuating plunger 6 carried thereby and two guide plungers 7 and 8. The guide plungers are adapted to freely move in apertures in the ears 9 and 10, respectively, and the actuating plunger moves similarly in the aperture 11 of the frame 1.

It is apparent that this construction allows a free reciprocating movement of the actuating plunger 6 that will not bind or get out of adjustment and at the same time is economical to construct.

The shaft 2 has rigidly fastened thereto the lever 12, which is hinged at its other end to the connecting linl: 13, which in turn is hinged at 14 to the head 5 so that the rotation of the shaft 2 through 180 will cause the actuating plunger 6 to move to its extended position, as shown in F igure 4, and back to its retracted position, as shown. in Figure 6.

In applying my device to a phonograph it is placed on the bed 15, Figure 1, with the actuating plunger 6 in such a position as to co-act with the starting lever 16 of the phonograph.

An alarm clock 17 of ordinary construction is then clamped to my device with set screws 18, carried by wings 19 extending from the frame of my device, and with its alarm winding key 4 registering with the slotted end 3 of the shaft 2.

The alarm clock is then set to go off-at any desired hour and when the alarm is sprung the turning of the winding key 4 by the ringing of the alarm mechanism, as is the customary operation of such clocks, will rotate the shaft 2, thereby extending the actuating plunger 6, which trips the starting lever 16 of the phonograph, causing the phonograph to start.

The continued movement of the alarm mechanism retracts the actuating plunger through the rotation of the shaft 2 until it leaves the position shown in Figure 6 when the head 5 impinges on the ears 9 and 10 and any further actuation of the device or of the alarm mechanism is prevented.

The phonograph now actuates under its own power and is shut off by any of the ordinary shut-oft mechanisms now in common use when the record that is; being played has been finished.

lVhile l have described my invention and illustrated it in one particular design, I do not wish it understood that I limit myself to this construction, as the application of my invention may be varied in many Ways Within the scope of the following claims:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of aframe, a vertical shaft mount-ed in said frame and having a slotted member at its upper end to receive therein a drivii'ig member, a lever swingable by said shaft, an actuating plunger, two guide plungers, a head carried on all said plungers, means for restraining the movement of said plungers to a reciprocating motion, and a connecting link between the free end of said lever and said head.

2. In a starting device for use with a phonograph having a starting lever, the combination of apositively driven reciprocating plunger adapted to bear against said lever to move it and then be positively withdrawn therefrom, ot rotatable means adapted to be rotated by the mechanism of an alarm clock, and means connecting said rotative means and said reciprocating means whereby said reciprocating means will be actuated.

3. In a starting device for use with a phonograph having astarting lever the combination with rotatable means adapted to be driven by the Winding mechanism of an alarm clock of means for actuating said starting le\'er,-means for translating the ro tary motion of said first named element to a reci iirocating motion of said last named element, the construction of said GlGlTlGIlll being such as to prevent the rotation of said rotatable means through a full 860 degrees.

CHRISTOPHER- T. CLARK. 

